Search Results for agency_names:"Homeland Security Department"

The Coast Guard has created a temporary safety zone to ensure the safety of life during cable laying operations off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. This safety zone, effective from March 2, 2025, to March 1, 2026, will surround a cable laying barge and cover waters up to 1000 yards from the barge, moving as the barge progresses along a corridor out to sea. Mariners and vessels are prohibited from entering this area unless they have permission from the Captain of the Port or a designated representative, who will help communicate safe transit options. This rule ensures that navigational hazards posed by the barge's anchorage configurations are mitigated.

The document is a notification from the Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, about temporary rules they issued for safety zones, security zones, and special local regulations that became effective and expired primarily between October 2021 and December 2021. These temporary rules were necessary for safety and security but could not be published in the Federal Register in time. Mariners and the public were informed through other methods like Local Notices to Mariners and press releases. The Coast Guard lists these temporary rules periodically to fulfill its obligation of public notification.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has finalized flood hazard determinations for various communities, affecting Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), flood depths, and Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). These changes are crucial for communities to participate in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. The new information will be available for inspection online and at designated community repositories by April 23, 2025. Residents and property owners are encouraged to review the revised FIRMs and Flood Insurance Study reports to understand the impact on their areas.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is seeking qualified individuals to join its National Advisory Council (NAC). The council advises FEMA on various aspects of emergency management, ensuring coordination with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as private sectors. Interested applicants can apply by submitting a package via email before March 12, 2021, outlining their qualifications and interest. Applicants chosen will serve for three years, participating in subcommittee meetings, which meet regularly via teleconference.

The Coast Guard is enforcing a safety zone in San Francisco Bay during the New Year's Eve fireworks on December 31, 2024, through January 1, 2025. This is to ensure the safety of people, vessels, and the environment from firework-related hazards. Unauthorized boats and individuals cannot enter, pass through, or stay in the safety zone unless they receive permission from authorities. Notifications about this safety zone will also be shared with mariners through local notices and broadcasts.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued an amendment to the major disaster declaration for Virginia (FEMA-4831-DR), originally declared on October 1, 2024. The amendment specifies that the disaster's incident period has officially closed as of October 3, 2024. Various programs are available under this declaration to aid in recovery, including community disaster loans, crisis counseling, and disaster legal services. The revision was made public on October 25, 2024, and provides details on how to report and access funds through specific federal assistance programs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has updated a previous disaster declaration for Ohio, originally issued on June 18, 2019. This change took effect on December 28, 2020, and involves appointing Joseph Cirone as the new Federal Coordinating Officer, replacing Steven W. Johnson. FEMA also outlined several programs with specific federal assistance numbers for disaster recovery efforts. These updates are part of FEMA's ongoing response to manage the declared disaster effectively.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is inviting public comments until May 13, 2025, on its Information Collection Request for the Case Assistance Form, DHS Form 7001, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The form, used by individuals and employers facing issues with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), has been revised for usability, focusing on streamlining sections and enhancing online features. These improvements include a progress bar, adaptive questions based on user responses, and a web portal for checking case status and uploading documents. The changes aim to make the form more user-friendly and efficient, reducing the average completion time from 50 minutes and addressing issues highlighted in a recent usability study.

The U.S. Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, announced its plan to request an extension from the Office of Management and Budget for an existing information collection related to safety regulations in the commercial fishing industry. This collection aims to enhance safety on fishing vessels and applies to vessel owners and operators. The Coast Guard is inviting the public to comment on the information collection, focusing on its usefulness, accuracy, and any ways to reduce its burden. Comments can be submitted online by April 19, 2021.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has delayed the implementation of a new rule regarding the H-1B visa selection process until December 31, 2021. This rule intended to change how H-1B visa applications are selected, focusing on using wage levels for prioritization. The delay allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) additional time to update and test their systems and train their staff to ensure a smooth transition, avoiding confusion and operational disruptions. During this delay, H-1B registrations for the fiscal year 2022 will follow the existing random selection process.